He started as a shepherd and took on countless jobs.

As winter begins, the weather grows colder and the wind howls.

The weather in this region is particularly unpredictable, and the winters are especially bitterly cold.

Pei Si accepted the commission, purchased some fox-catching tools, chicken, fish, and wine at the market, and then went up Mengshan.

Pei Si was wrapped in a sheepskin coat and wore a small white woolen hat. Despite it being the dead of winter, sweat streamed down his face.

The little hat on his head has quite a history; it's a treasure made using the methods of the Sheep Herding Clan, with the material taken from a strange beast called Hao, whose fur was used to make the felt hat.

Wearing it will make you feel warm as springtime, even in the far north, without the slightest chill.

Therefore, this hat is also known as the "Howling Hat".

The hat on his head was given to him by the blind old man Lin when he was fifteen.

As soon as he entered the mountain, Pei Si felt relaxed all over, like a weary bird returning to the forest or a boat returning to shore.

Pei Si went first to the mountain god temple.

Although the mountain spirit once said that there was no need to offer sacrifices when climbing the mountain from now on, words are one thing and deeds are another.

If the leader says they won't accept it, does that mean they really won't send it?

Pei Si would not miss a single sacrifice that was required.

Upon entering the mountain god temple, Pei Si cleaned the temple as usual and then offered sacrifices.

Most temples in remote mountain areas like this do not have dedicated temple keepers.

It was mainly the villagers from the foot of the mountain, along with artisans like Pei Si who made their living from the mountain, who went up the mountain to make offerings.

Pei Si cleaned it up casually; no problem.

After leaving the mountain god temple, Pei Si patted his treasure pouch and released the little spirit sheep.

According to the blind old man Lin, any creature in the world with a spirit, that can influence a person's fate to a certain extent, can be regarded as a spirit sheep.

If a mountain runner were to obtain a truly rare and precious treasure, such as a horse, wouldn't he become rich overnight?

They might live a life free from want, or they might be brought into danger and have their fate altered.

Pei Si's natal spirit sheep is indeed a chubby little white lamb.

"Xiaobai, search around this mountain for me. Where can I find a good quality red-eyed fox?"

Pei Si reached out and stroked the messy fur on Xiao Bai's body.

Bai Xiao bleated, licked Pei Si's palm, and then disappeared into the ground.

In the mountains and forests, Bai Xiao is Pei Si's informant. Their lives are intertwined, and they can be on the same page!

Pei Si sat cross-legged on the ground. In an instant, Pei Si's pupils compressed, elongated, and became square.

Through Bai Xiao's eyes, scenes from Mengshan entered Pei Si's mind.

In the eyes of the shepherd, the mountains and rivers of the world can be divided into eight categories.

Majesty, generosity, purity, and antiquity are the four outstanding qualities of a place, while loneliness, thinness, wickedness, and vulgarity are the four ugly qualities of a place.

Among the four locations, the probability of obtaining Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Treasures is relatively high, hence the name Red Sheep.

Among the four ugly lands, the probability of producing Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Treasures is relatively low, hence the name Black Sheep.

The thorny rat that was brought here at midnight today is the black sheep.

"The terrain of Mengshan is unique, with both outstanding and ugly places. According to the answer in my geography class in my previous life, the landform is complex and diverse."

Pei Si's geography grades in his previous life were not ideal.

"That astragalus root looks quite old; it should fetch a good price."

"Huh, there's even a Ganoderma lucidum here."

A glint of light seemed to appear in Pei Si's eyes.

Those medicinal herbs, we'll get them all later.

"strangeness."

Bai Xiao wandered around the mountain for about fifteen minutes but still couldn't find any trace of the Red-Eyed Fox.

"Could it be because of the Red Lantern Goddess that the Crimson-Eyed Fox has moved away?"

Suddenly.

Pei Si spoke in a low voice.

They hadn't found the red-eyed fox yet, but they had gained something else.

A monster the size of a calf, with white ears, a white beak, and bare feet, was walking along the stream, stopping every now and then to drink.

This strange creature is called Howl, and it is the main material used to make Howl Fire Hats.

If we could capture it and make it a Howling Hat to maintain our relationship, that would be perfect.

Thinking of this, Pei Si did not hesitate. He made a hand seal with one hand, used Bai Xiao's eyes to focus on Hao Shou, and cast the [Spirit Sheep Seal] on him.

The howling monster, with its keen senses, seemed to sense someone watching it. It moved like lightning and disappeared into the jungle.

Fortunately, Pei Si had successfully marked the location, and with the help of the Spirit Sheep Seal, he could vaguely sense the direction of the howling monster.

Fifteen minutes later.

Beside the stream.

A red-eyed fox emerged from the bushes, its bushy tail sweeping back and forth.

"Found it."

Pei Si's mind stirred.

"Meow~"

The red fox perked up its ears, stopped, and turned around to see the little lamb. The red fox licked its pointed snout, its eyes cunning, already regarding the white fox as its meal.

The red fox walked unsteadily toward the white fox.

After bleating, the white fox led the red fox downstream along the stream.

Pei Si got up, set up a soft deerskin snare on the path the other was sure to take, then sprinkled mugwort ash to cover the snare, placed bait, and then crouched in the bushes on one side.

The red fox's eyes were glazed over, as if it were bewitched.

Snapped.

Tighten the loop.

Pei Si stepped forward, covered the fox's head with a soft cloth, bound its limbs with a soft rope, and put it into the treasure bag.

One hundred and fifty coins for incense money, in hand.

Seeing that it was still early, Pei Si took the astragalus and lingzhi mushrooms with him.

"The shepherd (green) can obtain the skill of 'leading the way in sheep tracks'."

"【Sheep Tracks Lead the Way】: Just as an old horse knows the way in ancient times, a sheep track can now guide the way. If you are in a maze or a ghost wall, the path taken by your natal spirit sheep will leave behind gray-white sheep tracks that only the shepherd can see, guiding the shepherd out of the maze. At the same time, sheep tracks also have the ability to confuse strange creatures."

[Promotion Requirements: Obtain ten low-grade treasures/spirits and one mid-grade treasure/spirit.]

"The materials required for advancing the Shepherd (White) have increased. The current progress in Treasure Hunt/Spirit is (2/10)."

Pei Si squinted slightly.

The lineage of Shepherd has a definition of celestial and earthly treasures.

What is the Heavenly Spirit?

The Heavenly Spirit is a living being that absorbs the energy of mountains and marshes, and is awakened by the essence of the sun and moon. It is a rare treasure that is born from mutation within its body, and is one in ten thousand.

Even though they are all celestial spirits, there are differences between them, divided into upper, middle, and lower spirits.

The supreme spirits are the most precious treasures produced by living beings that have reached a certain level of maturity, such as the wind-stabilizing pearl of the centipede and the fire cloud elixir of the fox.

The Zhongling is something that has been nurtured over sixty years, like the spiritual pearl between the eyebrows of a stone toad, the golden tendons under the claws of an eagle, or the solidified fat in the antlers of a spirit deer.

The lower spirit contains bezoar, horse gallstones, and other such items.

Earthly treasures, like celestial spirits, are also divided into three grades: superior, middle, and inferior.

The Supreme Treasure, buried underground, has accumulated the earth's spiritual energy over time and can transform into human form. There is also a saying: "Golden and silver boy, jade maiden, pearl girl, strange weapon ugly boy."

Zhongbao is a rare and exotic flower and herb that can absorb the essence of the sun and moon, and has the effect of reviving flesh and bones.

Xia Bao refers to rare jewels and herbs buried underground.

The astragalus and lingzhi that Pei Si obtained today are now classified as inferior treasures.

It was getting late, and Pei Si rushed back to Qingcheng County before the time of the Demon Encounter, heading straight for Qingzhi Hall.

Upon seeing Pei Si's arrival, Xu Zhimei's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Could it be that he doesn't want to take the commission? But Xu Zhi knows Pei Si's character.

Could it be that they've already caught the fox? Only a few hours have passed; the efficiency is simply too high.

"Sister Zhi, I'm here to deliver the goods," Pei Si said calmly.

Upon hearing this...

Xu Zhi led Pei Si to the guest room, brewed tea, and set out pastries.

"Oh my, Brother Si, you're incredibly efficient! No wonder you're Uncle Lin's last disciple." Xu Zhi smiled broadly and gestured for Pei Si to eat some pastries to fill his stomach.

Pei Si didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up a piece of ox-tongue pastry and began to chew.

It's savory, slightly sweet, and has a sesame aroma.

Pei Si casually took out a cloth bag and said indistinctly, "Sister Zhi, what do you think of this fox? Oh, and I also have two medicinal herbs here."

Xu Zhi took the bag, examined it, and then nodded with a smile. "Not bad, not bad. The quality is above average. Miss Lu should be satisfied."

"These two medicinal plants are of good quality and age, I'll give you this price."